Automatic carrier-turning mechanism for drying machines



AUTQMATIC CARRIER TURNING MECHANISM FOR DRYING MACHI NES Filed Oct. 31, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 -FIG-.I. r 5

:10 21 /j5 I 63 w/ 65 6 n zf j 5 g .2; w 67d J 4.1 6 5 99 56 5g Z INVENTOR:

WITNESSES 1 De June 24, 1930. J. w. DENNIS 1,756,984

AUTOMATIC CARRIER TURNING MECHANISM FOR DRYING MACHINES Filed Oct. 51, 1927 asnee'ts-sheet 2 *Mmum WITNESSES INVENTOR:

L Jaim Weskylbmzw,

J. w. DENNIS June 24', 1930,

7 AUTOMATIC cmnmn wanna umcmmrsu FIOR DRYING mcrmms Filed on. 31,'192v s Sheets-Sheet s A INVENTOR: Jbizn WasZeyDezzm's BY W] TNESSES ATTORNEYS- Patented June 24, 1 930 T D STA eATENr oFHc-E :roIIN WESLEY :oEN Is, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, AssIeNoE TO THE PHILA DELPl-IIA EEYING MACHINERY CQMPANY,1OF PHILADELPHIA, PE NSYLVANIA, A

CORPORATION OF EENNSYLVANIA AUTOMATIC oARRIEa-rUnNINe MEorIANIsM EoEnE -INe MACHINES Application fil ed October 31,

This invention relates generally to dry ing machines and, more particularly, to the types through which article-carriers are automaticallyprogressed, by means of a rotary slottedplaten, "with provision for periodic entry and exit, relative to the drying zone, to effect application and removal of the articles treated.

More specifically the present improvements' aim to provide a novel conveying mechanism, for machines of the typified character, which is automatically instru mental to effect uniform directional alignment of the article-carriers for entry into, progress about, and exit from the drying zone of the machine. As a result, the operations of 'boarding and stripping? clothing-carriers, for instance, are more expeditiously carried out while the general efficiency of drying machines, equipped with this invention, is greatly enhanced; and, incidentally economy in overhead expense, by'saving of time and labor, efl'ec'ted.

Heretofore the 'means common .to carry out the operations above stated have usually embodied cams cooperative with stationary obstructions, or the equivalents thereof; and, in contradistinction therewith, my invention essentially embraces a combination of 'me-' chanically operated studs, rollers and tripfingers, which jointly impart a fpositive turning movement to the article-carriers. I

For a clearer '-understanding of my invention, as well as to fully appreciate the aims and advantages thereof, reference is made to the accompanying sheets of drawings; which, when considered in conjunction with the following detaile'dex'planation, serve to disclose a practical adaptation thereof;

whereas, the 'subj oined claims tersely. recite the alleged features of novelty. Inthe' drawings, corresponding parts are distinguished by like reference characters throughout the several views. Fig. l" is a sectionalplan through an auto: matic hosiery-dryer incorporating my improvements, and taken approximately on the plane indicatedby the arrowed llIlQI-I in Fig. II.

Fig. II is a staggered vertical section as 1927. serial No. 229,926.

viewed approximately in the direction indicated by the line 11-11 in Fig. I.

FigIII is a fragmentary plan view in section of my novel mechanism operative to effect uniform directional alignment of Suecessive article-carriers forproper entering 1nto-and progress about-the drying zone of the machine. I i .Fig. IV is an elevation of the preceding View. r

Fig. V is a plan view in sectionsimilar to Fig. III- of the means employed to'eifect directionalmovement of the article-carriers on dleaving the drying Zone'of-the machine; an,

toward-the upper hand ofthe preceding illustration. I 1

Referring first t0 Figsl and ILit' will be seen that the typified adaptation of my invention illustrated comprises an enclosure 7 of thermo 'insulated sheets 8 and-standard sections 9, with abellied frontalportion 10,

all' supported at an. elevation above floor level by a substructure 11. Theenclosure 7 is subdividedby a vertical partition 12 to define a-space 13 for conventionalheating means-amt shown. Transversely 'of the space l3is an inwardly-convergentrectangular-sectionair-inlet 14 communicating into the casing collar 15 of a vertically rotatable fan 16, connected by a belt drive 17 with-a which defines the drying Zone 22; while said suitable motor 18, braced to the back'of the bafflev and canopy are located above a slotted- 1 v platen '23, that closes-in the hollow head 24 of arotary pedestal25. This pedestal 25 is revolvable by a vertical shaft 26, and it is supported over a "gear box 27 which houses the mechanism instrumental-t0 reciprocatea selector; or pusher-bar 28,, through the medium of ashaft-29, co-ordinated with the fan shaft '30 by, a beltdrive 31,-or"otherj appropriate driving. mechanism. The means adapted-to intermittently actuate the pusherbar 28is of any approved type, and is not r u 65 Fig. VI 1s a broken elevation looking illustrated herein as it does not constitute a part of the present invention.

Each article or form-carrier 32, is're- 1novablyor otherwise-supported by a holder 33 having a toothed shank 34 cooperative with the correspondingly toothed socket 35 of a bearing bracket 36, through aid of an axial-stem 37, secured in said shank by a cotter-pin 38; and said bracket is rigidly attached to the outer end of a thrustbar 39 adapted for radial manipulation in the hollow pedestal head 24. Each thrustbar 39 is provided with notches 40, 41 at its lower edge for engagement with a cupped flange 42 about the gear box 27.

All of the foregoing matters do not constitute features of the present invention but are illustrated-and briefly explainedas essential to a correct understanding of the improvements now to be described in detail; viz, the means effective to automatically. turn; the articlev or form-carriers 32 into proper alignment, for correct entry into'.and ejection fromthe drying zone 22, of the machine.

In the drawings I have shown my invention as adapted to an automatic hosiery dryer in which the form-carriers 32 are progressed about the drying zone 22toe inwards, with a counter-clockwise or lefthand directional travel, while said carriers enter and leave the machine enclosure 7 by way of vertical slots 43, 44,-Fig. Irespectively.

Referring now, more particularly, to'Figs. III and IV, which illustrate the mechanism at the carrier-entering side of the machine,

it will be seen that the selector or pusher-- bar 28 is formed, or otherwise provided, with a plate-head 45, fitted with turning or upstanding studs 46, 47; a draw or actuator-stud 48; and what I term a-rockerarm stud 49. These several studs are of any conventional type adapted for rigid securement in the plate-head 45, and their respective functions will be, later on, fully explained. The rocker-arm stud 49 is headed for non-releasable cooperation with the slot 50 of .a rocker-arm 51, pivoted on a stud 52 rigidly fixed in a bearing plate 53, conveniently supported by bracings 54, 55, to the machine sub-structure 11, in an obvious manner.- This rocker-arm 51 is provided, at its pivotal end, with a lateral ear or side lug 56, to which is fulcrumedby a pin 57one end of a connecting rod 58, the other end of said rod being similarly attached at 59 to the shorter arm 60 of a crank member, freely pivoted on a stud 61, secured inthebearing plate 53, aforesaid. On thelonger arm 62, of the crank memberjust referred to, there is; mounted arol-ler 63 that is freely rotatableabout a fixed axis64, said roller being adapted-to engage the wing-portion 65 of ablock'66, rigidly attached to the lower'end of the article or form-carrier axial-stem 37, hereinbefore referred to; while a spring 67 is interposed between said block iLIlCl'iZhG lower end of the bearing socket 35, to keep the parts 34, 35 in mutual'engagement.

The following will briefly explain the manner in which the just described mechanisms co-operate. Assuming, an article or fornrcarrier 32 to beapproaching the entry slot 43, along the 'dot-and-dash course 0. C.-Fig. III; with the heel of the form 68 inwards and, conveniently, conforming alignedly with the'longitudinal median of the wing 65 as shown at a; while the roller 63 occupies the position shown by dotted lines. It will now be readily understood that, as the form 68 commences to advance in the direction of the arrow, or counterclockwise, it will be automatically turned about its axis to the position shown at b for proper entry intothe machine enclosure 7 through the entry slot 43. Further progress of the formcarrier 32 in the just stated direction, with concurrent movement outwards of thepusher-bar 28 results in the stud 47 engaging the obtuse angled side of the block wing portion 65, which imparts a further turn tothe form-carrier 32 into the position marked 0, for correct entry into the drying zone 22. Should a form carrier 32, however, pass along the course 0. C. as in- 7 toe-foremost, then the actuation of the 7 to-foremost, then the actuation of the pusher-bar 28 advances the stud 46 into contactwith the notched out side 69 of the wing 65, and thereby turns said form carrier to the directional position designated 0, aforesaid. It will, of course, be well understood that the turning studs 46, 47 are positio'nallylocated, on the plate-head 45, to positively effect the turning movements of the form-carrier 32, just explained.

On the return stroke or inwardfreciproca tion of the pusher-bar 28, the relatively shorter or actuator-stud 48 engages the rectangular lower portion ofthe block 66, and thereby pulls the carrier 32, and sustained form 68, into the drying zone 22 for progress thereabout over the course designated I. (1, the prescribed number of times; whereupon it will be ejected by way of the exit slot 44, through the medium of the mechanism now to be explained. Referring now, more particularly, to Figs. V and VI it will'be seen that the pusherbar 28 is formed-or fittedwith a campath 70 andanopposed lateral ear or side lug 71, bearing a vertically directed actuator stud 72. Immediately below the pusher-bar 28, and securely fastened to the sub-structure 11 of the machine is a plate 73, on which is located a crank member 74 free to turn about astationary axisor stud 7 5. On the shorter .fixed axis 78, while the longer arm 7 9 *ofsaid crank member is connected at 80to a connecting rod 81, the other extremitywhereof whereof is similarly coupled by a 'corresponding-connector 89 to the vertically directed finger 90 of a trip device 91, freely pivoted on a bearer stud 92 secured to a plate 93, made fast in the machine sub-structureor framework 11. The trip device 91 is fitted with a crank arm 94 and adjustable counterweight 95; while it is to be particularly noted that the connecting rod 88 is screwthreaded into both universal connectors 87 89; so that ample provision is afiorded for varying the throw of the several mechanical elements thereby co-ordinatedi l The manner of operation of the just described mechanismis briefly as follows. Assuming a form-carrier '32 has reached'the position marked eF ig. Vwith the pusherbar 28 at the in position relative thereto, it will be readily understood that, on the next outward movement of'said bar, the actuator stud 72 will engage the block 66, and move or draw the carrier 32 from its inner path of travel I. 0., tothe outer course 0. 5 along which it continues to advance, in the direction of the arrow, tor-the positiondcs ignated 7. At this pointthe pusher-bar '28,

a on its returnor inward-stroke, draws the inclined edge 96, of the cam plate 7O into and overthe roller 77, which causes the V crank memberf74 to swing about its axis 7 5 from the full line to the dotted-line position. As a result motion is transmitted by the connecting rod 81 to the rocker 84:, which in turn imparts a reverse directional-pull upon the universally-jointed connecting rod 88, thereby swinging the trip device 91 upwardly upon its'axis 92. Consequently, the trip finger 90 is brought into contact with the obtuse-angled or follower edge 97 of the block winged position 65,- therebyv turning the form carrier 82 into the directional position indicated at g'--or toe foremost, On release of the finger 9Q fromen'gagement with the wing 65, it will' bei obvious that the counter-weight 95 returns the co-ordinated mechanical elements back'to the full line position of Fig. V, readyvlfor the next operative cycle, while the form 68 is moved out through the exit slot 4 I in the manner hereinbeforeexplained;

- In order to eliminate any possibility of the operator endeavoring to turn alform 68 in the wrong directionrwhileipassing exte- V riorly-or" in front of the machine duringthe operations of stripping and re-cloth ng, and incidentally causing damage. to? the successive CalllBISifOI movement intoand out goods and operating machanism, I make use of a guard rail 98-Fig. V -that is supported by the combined tableand humidifier 99 in such location as to prevent the sucv cessive form-carriers 32 being turned in a clockwisedirection, but permits of the individual ones being given'a half-turn counterclockwise on its axial stem 37 from the position shown at g. I H I From the foregoing it will be apparent that the proper and correct alignment of the forms 68 for progress aboutxthe drying zone 22, as well as their directional turning is automatically obtained by means of the rerange of equivalency circumscribed by rea-.

sonable interpretation accordedthe following claims;

I Having thus described my invention, I claim; I

1. In a drying machine, including a rotary I platen sustaining radially-thrustable articlecarriers, the combination of an intermittently reciprocative member adapted by directaction tocorrectly align the individual carriers for predetermined positionallentry into, progress about, and ejectment from the machine 1 v 2. In a drying machine includingan enclosure and arotjary platen sustainingradially-'thrustable article-carriers, the combination of an intermittently-reciprocative 'member'adapted by direct action to correctly align the individual carriers for entryinto,

progress about, as well asxejectme'nt from the enclosure,'and mechanistic-directlyoper ated by the reciprocative member'efl'ective to turn successivecarriers for positional advancement into" and out of said enclosure.

3Q In "a drying machine including an enclosure and ar'otary platen'sustaining radially-thrustable article carriers, the "com-. hifnation of an intermittently-reciprocative member having terminal protrusions. adapted by direct action tocorrectlyalign the indiiozs vidual carriers for'movement relative to the r rotary platen, and *mechanismsdirec'tly operatedbyfthereciprocative memberto turn 0f the enclosure aforesaid.

- lLflIn a drying machine including an en'- closure. and a rotary platen' sustaining radiallythrustable" article-carriers, the combination: of an intermittently-reciprocative :5

member having terminal protrusions adapted operatively coupled to a crank and rocker by direct contact to correctly align the im dividual carriers for movement relative to the rotary platen, mechanism operatively coupled with. the reciprocative member to turn successive carriers for entry into the enclosure, and mechanismdirectly activated by said member serving to similarly turn the carriers for ejectment therefrom.

5; In a drying machine including an enclosure and a rotary platen sustaining radially-thrustable article-carriers, the com-- bination of an intermittently-reciprocative bar having end projections, crank and rocker mechanisms operative by one ,of the projections at'each end of said bar to positively turn the article-carriers into entering and ejective direction respectively, others, of the projections operating by direct contact to correctly align said carriers for movement intoprogress aroundand ejectment from the enclosure, and the remaining projections adapted to thrust said carriers radially of the platen aforesaid.

6. In a drying machine including an enclosure and a rotary, platen with radial thrust-barshaving formcarriers pivoted to the Outer ends thereof, the combination of an intermittently-reciprocative bar having positionally located studs at one end, one of said studs bemg operatively coupled to a crank and rocker mechanism serving to turn the individual carriers into enclosure-entering direction, other of theprojections functioning by direct contact to correctly align the carriers for movement into and progress around the enclosure, and the remaining projection adapted to thrust the carriers radially of the platen aforesaid.

7 In a drying machine including an enclosure and a rotary platen with radial thrust-bars having form carriers pivoted to the outer ends thereof, the combination of an intermittently-reciprocative bar having positionally located studs at one end, one of which is coupled to a crank and. rocker mechanism operative to turn the individual carriers "into enclosure-entering direction, other of the projections functioning by direct contact to correctly align :thecarriers for movement into and progress around said enclosure, with a further pro ection serving to thrust the carrier radially inwards of the rotary platen, and mechanism directly activated by projectionsat the other endof the reciprocative bar adapted toinove successive carriers into ejective-directionallocation.

8. Ina drying machine including an enclosure and a rotary platen with radial thrust-bars having form-carriers pivoted to the outer ends thereof,-'the combination of an intermittently-reciprocative bar having positionally located studs at one end for direct co-action with a laterally winged block oneach carrier pivot, one of said studs being mechanism adapted to turn individual car- "riers into enclosure-entering direction, other of the projectionsfunctioning by direct contact to correctly align the carriers for move ment intoand progress around said enclosure, and the remaining projection adapted to thrust the carriers radially of the platen aforesaid.

9. In a drying machine including an enclosure and a rotary platen with radial thrust-bars having form-carriers pivoted to the outer ends thereof, the combination of an intermittently-reciprocative bar having positionallylocated studs at one end for direct co-action with a laterally winged block on each carrier pivot, one of said studs being operatively coupled to a crank and rockermechanism functional to turn the individual carriers into enclosure-entering direction, a plurality of said studs respectively engageable against opposed sides of the carrier with respect-to its pivot when alignedl'y advancingor in a rightaboutdir ection to correctly turn such carrier for radial location during progress about said enclosure, another of saidstuds serving to thrust the carrier radially inward to enclosure progressive location, and mechanism directly activated by projections at the other end of the reciprocative bar correspondingly moving successive carriers into ejective directional location. I

10. In a dryingemachine including an enclosure and a rotary platen with radial thrust-bars having form-carriers pivoted to the outer ends thereof, the combination of an intermittently-reciprocative bar having positionally placed studs at one end adapted byco-ordination and direct-action to respectivelyturn successive form-carriers into-enclosure entering-and progressive directional alignment, .a stud and a cam path at the other end of the reciprocative bar, the former of which serves to thrust the carrier from enclosure progressing to ejective position, and the latter adapted to activate a crank and rocker mechanism operative to turn the article-carrier into proper ejective alignment. 1 1

11. In a drying machine including an enclosure and a rotary platen with radial thrust-bars having form-carriers pivoted to the outerends thereof, the combination of an intermittently-reciprocative bar having" positionally placed studs at one end adapted by co ordinati'on and direct-action to respectively turn successive form-carriers into enclosure entering-and-progressive directional alignment, a stud and a cam path at, the other end of the reciprocative bar, the former of which serves to thrust the carrier from enclosure-progressing to ejective position, and the latter adapted to activate a crank and rocker mechanism co-ordinated by an universal connection with a trip device operative to turn the article-carrier into proper ejective alignment.

12. In a drying machine including an enclosure and a rotary platen with radial thrust-bars having form-carriers pivoted to the outer ends thereof, the combination of an intermittently-reciprocative bar having positionally placed studs at one end adapted by co-ordination and direct-action to respectively turn successive form-carriers into enclosure entering-and-progressive directional alignment, a stud and a cam path at the other end of the reciprocative bar, the former of which serves to thrust the carrier from enclosure-progressing to ejective position, and the latter adapted to activate a crank and rocker mechanism co-ordinated by an universal connection with a verticallyacting counterweighted trip device operative to turn the article-carrier into proper ejective alignment. 7

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 26th day of October, 1927.

JOHN WESLEY DENNIS. 

